A number of you attended our recent Student Forum and provided your feedback and ideas for change. Student Forums are your chance to feedback directly to those at the ‘top’ of our University.
Since the event, our Executive Director of Student Experience (interim), Jane Savidge, has been working with key University and Union staff to review how we can act upon the ideas you presented. We’ve also worked to deliver more detailed responses to intricate queries. You can view the questions and answers raised at our May Forum here.
Examples of some of the great progress that’s been made as a result of your feedback include:
- We heard students were curious about the University’s vision for Sports within its wider 10-Year Plan.
- So we are delighted to announce (among other sporting developments) the upcoming recognition of sports colours at graduation. From summer graduation 2018 onwards, students awarded Athletic Union colours for a high level of sporting success or dedication to a club will have their award announced during their graduation ceremony, with details also featuring in that ceremony’s programme. This was a joint initiative delivered by the University and the University of Southampton Students’ Union.
- We heard students were uncertain about the tuition fee payments process for self-funded students.
- So we have provided additional details on the process, including news that from the next academic year (2018-19), self-funded students, continuing and new entrants studying at any level will be able to spread their tuition payments out over a longer period of time. The new three-instalment system will replace the current two-instalment system.
- We heard students feel that the newly updated UniWorkforce timesheet system lacks transparency.
- So we are seeking finance approval to deliver an end-to-end timesheet process which will allow for timesheets to be tracked, among other changes that will result in a more positive, user-friendly experience.
Your student voice is so important to the University – ideas or suggestions can’t always be acted upon, but will be wherever possible. If it isn’t possible, someone from the University will always try to explain why.
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